Afghanistan’s Tourism Revival Amidst Human Rights Concerns
Nearly four years after the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan, the country is experiencing a surge in tourism, with officials expressing optimism about its economic potential. Deputy Minister of Tourism Qudratullah Jamal reported over 9,000 foreign visitors in the past year, including 3,000 in the first three months of 2024. The regime is promoting tourism as a means to rebuild the national economy, with female tour guides leading groups, including an all-women tour of the National Museum of Afghanistan.
However, the U.S. Department of State maintains a travel advisory at the highest level, citing risks such as civil unrest, crime, terrorism, and the potential for wrongful detention. Critics, including Afghanistan’s ambassador to Austria, Manizha Bakhari, argue that the tourism drive is a form of ‘image management’ aimed at improving the regime’s international reputation while women continue to face severe restrictions on their rights and freedoms.
Bakhari emphasized the discrepancy between the experiences of foreign tourists and the realities faced by Afghan women. She noted that the Taliban tends to treat foreign women with exaggerated politeness, as they serve a purpose in the regime’s public relations strategy. Despite this, some tourists have shared positive experiences on social media, highlighting the hospitality and beautiful scenery of the country. However, the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) has reported that Afghan women are being denied the opportunity to join the workforce and are unable to access services without a male relative, while girls continue to be deprived of their right to education.
The State Department’s 2024 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices stated that the treatment of women has worsened, with further restrictions on education, employment, and freedom of movement for women and girls. The regime’s efforts to promote tourism and showcase scenic landscapes and hospitality toward foreign visitors are seen as an attempt to create a narrative of stability and openness, although this may be a form of voyeurism that prioritizes personal experience over the realities of those living under oppression.
Travel experts and officials have warned that the risks associated with visiting Afghanistan are significant. Former U.S. ambassador to the U.N. Economic and Social Council, Kelley Currie, urged Americans to ‘buy travel insurance’ due to the potential dangers of kidnapping and extortion. Adam Duckworth, president and founder of Travelmation, stressed that travel companies take the State Department advisories seriously and recommend thorough research before considering trips to high-risk locations. Amidst these concerns, Bakhari concluded that beauty should not blind us to injustice, and that travel should open hearts, not close eyes.